Michael Laitman, On Quora: “How can I as an individual save our environment?“

If we want to save our environment, then we need to change only one thing: our attitudes to each other.

Our development has reached a state where forces of separation are expanding throughout humanity. Likewise, we are coming closer to a state where we will feel that all we lack is a positive attitude to one another.

All kinds of efforts outside of changing our attitudes to each other will do nothing to save the environment. Such efforts stem from lacking a comprehensive understanding and perception of reality, and seeing the true interrelations between us and nature.

Being the most developed of nature’s levels—still, vegetative, animate and human—nature’s balance depends solely on us humans reaching a positive attitude and connection among each other. This is because every qualitatively higher level of nature has much greater power than its preceding level, and humans occupy the highest level in nature. Therefore, positively affecting the environment, the climate and nature in general can be achieved by reaching positive relations among each other on the human level. On the contrary, by letting our divisive drives tear apart human relations, we also destroy nature.

Therefore, the more we humans will be able to correct ourselves—changing our divisive attitudes to each other to positive ones of mutual support, encouragement, responsibility and concern—the more we will receive positive feedback from nature. And the more we develop without undergoing such a correction, the more we will receive negative feedback from nature, with natural disasters and pandemics among them.

It is thus very important for us to organize our thoughts, desires and qualities so that we understand that a shift to a better future, including what we perceive as saving our environment, depends solely on changing our attitudes to each other: from egoistic to altruistic.

Based on the video “The Need for an Attitude Shift” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Michael Laitman, On Quora: “How did the universe begin?“

Everything started with the desire to bestow.

The desire to bestow is the basis of creation. In that desire, an opposite desire began to appear, the desire to receive, which is the beginning of creation.

The desire to receive exists in order to emphasize the desire to bestow.

Where is the desire to bestow? Why don’t we feel it?

We cannot discover the desire to bestow alone. If we develop a desire to bestow, then we can discover this desire, and its revelation is called “the revelation of the Creator” or “revelation of the upper force.” That is, the desire to bestow is the initial force that existed in the universe, and the desire to receive, which is our (the creation’s) substance, is secondary.

In terms of whether or not our universe has a starting point, the wisdom of Kabbalah states that there is no beginning and no end. Our desire determines the place.

We can literally travel back and forth on the axis of time. Since all that exists is the desire to bestow, and our egoistic desire forms within the desire to bestow, then we have the ability to think about and grow the point of the desire to bestow out of our egoistic desire. We can progress toward adapting ourselves to the general desire to bestow, called “the Creator,” and at the end of our egoistic development, that is what we will discover.

Time travel is thus possible by changing our desire. We can change our desire to receive so that it lessens in importance, and we can increase the importance of bestowal upon reception. Diminishing the importance of receiving and increasing the importance of bestowal lets us progress on the axis of time.

What does “bestowal” mean? In simple terms, it means doing good to others. Through intending for others’ benefit, we can enter the upper force, i.e. the force that acts in our world, and which has acted even before the desire to receive came about, i.e. before the axis of time as we know it began.

In the end, only the desire to bestow will remain and fill reality. However, there is a difference between how the desire to receive functions in reality in its beginning and at its end. The difference is that in the end, the desire to receive fully develops and becomes able to appreciate the desire to bestow.

​​The desire to receive helps us increase the importance of the desire to bestow. When the desire to bestow becomes immensely important to us, then we draw it to ourselves, and feel a new whole reality that is beyond everything we experience in this world.

Raising the importance of the desire to bestow above the desire to receive is possible by enacting such appreciation in a group of people who agree to connect above their differences, and attract the desire to bestow in their relations. In such a group, we implement our connection up to the point where we attract the force of bestowal that fills the space between us and embraces us. There is no more powerful force, and when we discover it, we will realize how there is no other force in existence.

Based on the video “How Love Powers Time Travel” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Michael Laitman, On Quora: “Does evil exist?“

According to the wisdom of Kabbalah, evil is the revelation of a person’s egoistic attitude to others.

We are made of desires to enjoy, and this desire develops through different levels: from individual desires of food, sex and family, to social desires of money, honor, control and knowledge, and then to a desire to discover the meaning of our lives. This desire to enjoy has always been the driving force that makes us perform any movement or thought toward various pleasure goals. In our current times, however, this desire has grown to a state where it becomes evil: it starts turning into a desire that wishes to enjoy at the expense of other people and nature.

So while desires to enjoy are our nature and we constantly feel impulses to move toward pleasure and move away from pain, evil comes into the picture when our desires start wishing that we enjoy at the expense of others, i.e. when we rise above others and humiliate them.

It might sound extreme that we have reached a level where we wish to humiliate others and be above them, but we do so automatically. We do not realize the extent to which our inner wiring makes us completely driven by self-interest. For instance, even if we engage in pleasant conversation, we each try to be above the others, trying to position ourselves in a way where we look better, and presenting ourselves more favorably in order to catch others’ attention, even if only a little. Human nature consists of such veiled forms.

This is the final manifestation of the egoistic desire, and it surfaces in order for us to determine it as evil, and that if we are to alleviate the myriad problems that this desire brings about, we need to rise to the next altruistic form of desire opposite the evil: a good desire to love, positively connect, and give to others, above the egoistic desire. And it is a very difficult transition.

The wisdom of Kabbalah is a method that was made in order to guide this transition fast and pain-free.

Based on KabTV’s “Close Up” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Michael Laitman, On Quora: “Why are so many people dying taking photographs and selfies?“

They mostly fail to realize the risk in what they are doing at the time of the photograph or selfie.

Showing ourselves off to others in risky situations gives us very powerful feelings of being special and standing out among the crowd.

The fact that such deaths continue rising is testimony to the fact that the human ego constantly grows, and blinds more and more of us from considering the consequences of our actions.

When taking a risky photograph or selfie, we consider the triumph of the human ego: “Look at me! Look where I am!” The strength of this ego boost often outweighs the risk involved in making the photograph or selfie. We think about the virality of the photo, all the eyeballs, likes and shares that it will get—and it clouds the risk in the current moment. We end up paying for that moment with our life.

Such situations should lead us to the conclusion that we need seek a remedy for our overblown egoism. We correct our egoism by rising above it. Unfortunately, the method for rising above the ego is mostly unknown, so people have no such thoughts, and also fail to acquire any such abilities. As a result, suffering accumulates more and more in humanity.

Rising above the human ego means learning how to control it. We cannot and should not try to run away from or diminish the ego, but rather learn how to relate properly to it: to take it by the reins and guide it in a way that lets us release it slowly and in proportions that, at the very least, do not cause harm to ourselves or to others, and in addition, to benefit others. By doing so, we will reach the realization that the ego comes to help us rise above it. However, we require a method that guides this elevation, otherwise we will continue falling victim to the ego’s impulses.

Based on “News with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman” on October 11, 2021. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Michael Laitman, On Quora: “What’s your opinion about the new series on Netflix called Squid Game?“

One of my students explained how Squid Game is a prime example of how human nature is completely egoistic. That is, a few hundred people who are in serious debt and mental distress are brought to this game, given various challenges, and whoever loses is killed. The one running the game creates different intrigues and conflicts between the participants, placing them in situations where they need to kill the person that was with them up until the end.

It exemplifies our egoistic human nature in a very cutting manner, i.e. the will to kill other people in order to secure our own survival.

In short, everyone does everything egoistically, i.e. personally benefiting at the expense of others and nature, in order to survive, and in our daily lives, we wish to eliminate those standing in our way of survival in this world. While living according to an egoistic paradigm, then it appears to us that if we do not eliminate people who we perceive as threats to our survival and happiness today, then tomorrow, they could very well get the upper hand over us, and stand in our way of happiness and a sense of security.

With such a realization, we can raise the question about how to correct this situation and make the world a better place. Doing so first requires the need to recognize our evil: that we are egoistic beings that prioritize self-benefit over benefiting others, which leads us to use and exploit others for self-benefit.

As a result of such a revelation, we would then become receptive to explanations on how to change our nature from egoistic to its altruistic opposite. By engaging in education that guides this egoism-to-altruism transformation, we will then be able to make this change happen, and we will sense a different world that is filled with mutual support, concern, love and connection.

Based on the video “If Squid Games Were Real, What Would You Do?” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman and Oren Levi. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Michael Laitman, On Quora: “Why is the United Nations so ineffective?“

Indeed, if we look into the stated objectives of the United Nations and the results in the world, then we can summarize that the many meetings and events of the UN lead to no effective results, and it is quite simply a waste of time.

This is because it is not meant to succeed in bringing about friendlier relations between nations, but it rather serves as a platform for international political manipulations and power struggles under the guise of concern for human rights, food and water problems, and climate change.

It might have had good intentions at its establishment, but over time it became a snake pit of political interests, which made it deviate from its stated objectives. Instead of acting meaningfully, positively and effectively, it became a podium for making empty speeches and sanctimonious declarations.

In addition, another reason for its ineffectiveness is non-accountability within the organization: no one is held accountable if its agenda is not realized.

The question then becomes, what could the UN do in order to become effective?

Simply put, it needs to rise above the political interests that have become intertwined into its workings, and operate for the sake of humanity’s common unity and benefit. If it truly functions in such a way, then it should be given the needed authority to enact its decisions.

I think that the UN, the way it currently operates, should be discarded, and in its place should arise a worldwide educational institute that primarily deals with raising awareness of humanity’s interdependence.

Why would I focus on raising such awareness?

It is because, until we each realize the mutual responsibility that we have for our planet, our peace, our happiness and our well-being, then we will continue making ineffective actions that will lead to zero positive results.

People need to realize how to establish and sustain mutual support above the growing divisive atmosphere. Our failure to implement unity above our divisions will lead us into a chasm of increasing problems and crises.

One way or another, we will eventually reach a new understanding and sensation of our interdependence. The question is whether we will get there negatively, the way we currently head, or positively, by implementing education that raises awareness of our interdependence and how to realize such relations positively.

Therefore, to become effective in benefiting humanity, the UN would do wisely to change its course and emphasize the educational aspect of raising interdependence awareness throughout humanity.

Based on the “Writers Meeting” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman on October 24, 2021. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.
Photo: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe, 18 December 2015, Photo # 658012.

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Question: What is spiritual love?

Answer: Spiritual love includes a person’s love to all of humanity so that all of humanity are like one whole, like one person whom he loves because he discovers that in this loving attitude he reveals the Creator, he sees the Creator, and he builds a relationship with Him; he communicates with Him in a way that he begins to feel all of nature, all of humanity, all of the present and the future.
From KabTV’s “News in Russian” 11/18/21

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Michael Laitman, On Quora: “Is this pandemic ever going to end?“

We are in a struggle with nature.

We are discordant with the laws of nature, which are fundamentally laws of interconnection and interdependence. At the base of these laws is a single force that develops everyone and everything to increasingly connected states.

We, however, disregard nature’s tendency to connect us.

We currently see no need to unite above our differences. There are absolutely no efforts to come together and build systems that would benefit humanity collectively: systems that would guide us to positively connect upon our divisive drives, and lead us to balance with nature.

Instead, we tear nature and human society apart, living in a constant struggle between different parts of human society and nature. Accordingly, by tearing nature to shreds, we receive negative feedback from it. This negative feedback takes the forms of natural calamities of all kinds, from earthquakes and tsunamis through to pandemics.

Such outbursts are due to our imbalance with nature. Instead of applying ourselves to come together and achieve a higher sense of complementarity and cooperation, we instead become increasingly disparate from one another.

The more we head in an opposite direction to the increasing interconnection and interdependence that nature guides us to, the more we will receive negative feedback from nature. Although it might seem like punishment, it is not punishment at all. Nature’s blows are rather forces that aim to awaken us to correct our inclination: to align ourselves to better connect with each other in order to become balanced with nature, and by doing so, feel ourselves enter a whole new peaceful and harmonious world.

Instead of using these blows effectively, as reminders and impetus to better connect, to become more balanced, and to build a more supportive and encouraging society, we continue our lives in the dark, with no motion to build systems of positive connection above the growing divisive drives. Likewise, we can expect to receive more and more negative feedback from nature until we wake up to the need to correct our flawed modus operandi.

In the past, we also encountered several atrocities, but we were less developed and didn’t feel them as feedback to our actions. However, in our times, we are increasingly receiving terrible blows—on the still, vegetative, animate and human levels—that will lead to a point where they will endanger our very existence on this planet.

I thus stated at the start of the coronavirus pandemic that it would not go away. On the contrary, the pandemic will worsen and possibly evolve into greater crises until we wake up and draw the right conclusions.

Based on “Writers Meeting” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman and a team of writers on November 28, 2021. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Michael Laitman, On Quora: “Why do some people have outbursts?“

Outbursts are not unique only to some people, but on the still, vegetative and animate levels of nature, there are several instances where tension bursts out in order to lead to a calm state.

For instance, volcanic eruptions emerge after a lot of tension accumulates under the ground, and it reaches a state where it is impossible to maintain the inner tension. The external shell can no longer hold the tension within, and we then see how volcanic lava and ash erupts out of the earth.

This is how it works on the still, vegetative and animate levels of nature, and also in human beings. People have more reasons to have outbursts than the rest of nature due to living in a complex web of social interactions. In general, we live in a closed system that constantly influences us with all kinds of problems and pains, and when the tension of our constantly growing desires meets with a certain amount of tension from our social interactions, then we encounter a growing need for an outburst, whether on personal levels in the family, or on social levels in public outbursts, and even on national levels where certain state or non-state actors unleash violence.

Instead of calming such tension, we can no longer hold onto it, and then we have outbursts similar to the example of the volcano. It is the only way that some people see the ability to decrease their inner tension. There are examples of some people simply shouting or going for a run when they are under a lot of stress in order to lower the tension, because otherwise the lack of a release could lead to other problems, such as heart disease or other health complications.

In short, the more our ego—the desire to enjoy at the expense of others and nature—grows, then the more inclined we become toward outbursts, because our desires demand more and more fulfillment, and the conditions for receiving that fulfillment become tougher, and more and more people see no other way of calming themselves down but through a certain kind of outburst.

We can then see the importance of needing to tame the human ego, to give it the calm it seeks. The more our ego grows, the closer we come to a state of recognizing the evil nature of our egoistic selves, and become more willing to undergo a transition to a new altruistic nature, one that is in balance and harmony with nature.

Based on the video “How to Prevent Violent Outbursts” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman and Oren Levi. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Comment: Once you answered a letter to a person who wrote that he was used to speaking the truth in person and therefore ruins relations with people. You explained that by giving the truth to a person’s face, he just wants to remake him, and this should not be done.

Gulmira writes to you: “We are not a flock of sheep to be silent, with our face down. Yes, there are problems when you speak the truth, but if everyone is silent, keeping their opinion to themselves, there will be no sincerity, which means love.”

My Response: If she is a grown woman and has children, then I don’t think she delivers the truth to them all the time. She speaks to them in a language that makes them understand. So that they would be pleased. In order to gradually understand how to behave, how the world works, and how to properly tune others, yourself, that is, to be gentle with people. It is written “love your neighbor” and not “correct your neighbor.”

Question: Are you suggesting that you treat the other as your child or someone very close, take care of him?

Answer: And in this way we will be able to remake the world, and in the end we will all be fine. And if I deliver the truth to others, then I will do so with my egoism. What else? And what good will it do? None. I will turn all people against me and set a bad example for them.

Comment: By this a person is working very seriously with himself because any person wants to give out the naked truth, and here he has to think all the time.

My Response: Don’t do it, close your selfishness! Who do you want to show your truth to? Firstly, it is not true, it is your egoism, only your egoistic desire.

Question: If a person wants to naturally tell the truth to another, how should he behave, should he suddenly restrain himself? What should he do?

Answer: It is best to be silent.

Question: Is this the beginning of all good things?

Answer: Yes. And in general, if you want to talk about something, then speak about abstract topics that do not directly affect the other person, allegorically maybe or speak but not about him in plain text.

Question: The main thing is not a direct defeat of a person’s I?

Answer: No way! He must do this himself. The realization of one’s own evil lies with the person himself. This is a task that the Creator gives to a person. This is the only thing that He wants from us, for us to understand and realize the nature in which He created us, that we realize this nature as evil!

And the person who always tells the truth to another must realize that this comes from his evil, because all nature is evil, selfishness. And if I reveal it, then I reveal the evil in myself. And the other does not understand this, he hears what I say, and therefore draws very wrong conclusions from this.

Question: How does one communicate with another person if you want to tell him something?

Answer: Through your own example! Only! And the rest it’s better to be silent.

Question: Don’t you need to teach anyone?

Answer: No. Or if you teach, then only what the science of Kabbalah says about how to properly understand oneself, people, and the world, that is, the actions of the Creator. It’s true. And we don’t need the rest.

We need to make the world a good, fulfilling one. Let us change the world not by our usual methods, but through the Creator. The Creator is nature. That is, the impact on nature itself.

Question: Will we be able to rise above this selfishness after all?

Answer: We will be obliged. The whole question is, when? It already depends on us.
[290044]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 10/11/21

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